The new school in Richmond aims to tackle a lack of specialist places locally
A new school allowing more children with special educational needs to stay close to home will open in South West London for the upcoming academic year. The new centre for the Clarendon School, in Petersham, has been completed and will open in September, after Richmond Council approved the plans in 2023.
Clarendon Riverside Centre will provide up to 77 places for primary and secondary pupils with moderate learning difficulties and complex needs in the eastern part of Richmond borough, which has typically lacked such provision.
The centre will be managed by the Auriga Academy Trust, which already runs the Clarendon School across three sites in Richmond for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) – including a primary and secondary school. It will provide 95 extra places for Clarendon pupils in total, with 77 at the new school and the opening up of a further 18 at the existing sites.
The school has ten classrooms and four specialist teaching spaces for art, drama, music, food technology and life skills. It also has a hall, kitchen, office space, therapy rooms, group rooms and breakout areas, along with soft and hard play areas, a court and sensory garden outside.
Lib Dem councillor Penny Frost said when the school was first approved: “It will be welcomed by all parents on the Richmond side [of the borough] because that avoids that daily journey across the river which is so tiring and trying for the young people… from the Richmond side who are having to go across the river to the splendid sites on the Hampton and Twickenham and Whitton sites, but nothing on our side. It’s been a long time coming to fruition.”
Lib Dem councillor Julia Cambridge, Chair of the Education Committee, said she was looking forward to seeing students and staff benefit from the school’s facilities.
Councillor Cambridge said: “Every child deserves a school where they are understood, encouraged and given the right support to succeed. The new Clarendon School will provide specialist spaces, modern facilities and a welcoming environment to help pupils build confidence, develop independence and reach their potential.”
Lib Dem Council Leader Gareth Roberts added: “This is an important milestone for Clarendon School, local families and our borough. By increasing the number of specialist places available locally, we can help more children access the right education and support without needing to travel outside the borough.”
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